In the last 20 years we have seen a massive change in the way we live our lives thanks to advances in computer software and systems. Instead of writing letters, many of us now choose to use e-mail, instead of using a map to find our way around many people now use satellite navigation and even things such as designing a new kitchen is done via a computer system rather than being hand drawn. These small examples are only a tiny fraction of changes brought about by ever growing computing power that allow us to perform tasks faster, easier and with a higher degree of accuracy. It is hardly surprising that with the huge advances in computing technology that dentists are now turning to CAD/CAM computer systems to provide the ultimate care in modern dentistry.
CEREC stands for CEramic REConstruction and is by far the most advanced dental technology available. CEREC allows patients to have a crown, veneer or sometimes even a bridge made and fitted the same day without the need for impression moulds, temporary teeth, repeat visits or long waits. A new tooth can be precision made for a patient whilst they wait at a very similar cost to work done in a dental laboratory. The finished tooth will be even stronger than natural teeth, can be stained and glazed to match the other teeth perfectly and will be ready for chewing on as soon as it is fitted. From a patients point of view it is an amazing benefit being able to have a tooth made and fitted so quickly and patients who undergo treatment for a CEREC crown or veneer are often amazed at the whole process.
CEREC is a CAD/CAM system. For those not familiar with the term CAD/CAM, it stands for Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacture. This essentially means that computer systems are used throughout the whole process of CEREC, from designing the tooth to actually making it.
The procedure begins with the dentist preparing the tooth that needs replacing by removing the ‘bad bits’, leaving the healthy part of the tooth in a sort of ‘stump’. One of the best things about CEREC is that much more of the natural tooth can be left intact than with ordinary lab-based crowns as CEREC crowns can be designed to fit perfectly over any shape of ‘stump’. Once the tooth is prepared, the CAM process begins. This starts with the dentist scanning in images to the CEREC computer system of the prepared tooth ‘stump’, the teeth around it and the teeth either above or below it (depending whether it is an upper or lower tooth being repaired). After this is done, a 3D image of the ‘stump’ and the teeth around it will be displayed in a greatly enlarged format on the dentists computer screen – by having such a large image to work from, the dentist can be much more accurate and can notice minute details that would not be possible to see with the naked eye or even by using magnifying loupes. The new crown then gets virtually designed on the CEREC computer program over the image of the ‘stump’. This allows the dentist to design a crown that will fit perfectly with the teeth around it, will bite together correctly with the teeth above it and will fit snugly and securely onto the ‘stump’.
Now that the CAD part has been done, the dentist can now move onto the CAM part. Once the crown is designed, the information from the computer system is sent wirelessly to a milling unit. The milling unit is equipped with two diamond coated burs attached to two small robotic arms which mill and sculpt a block of ceramic with extreme accuracy into the shape of the designed crown. When the crown has been milled, it goes into a furnace to be glazed and can also be stained to create a naturally coloured, extremely strong tooth that will look, feel and function just like a real tooth. Different sizes and strengths of ceramic blocks are used depending on the type of crown being made. For example, the dentist may use a larger block for a molar and a slightly smaller block for a canine. After the staining and glazing, the crown is ready to be fitted. Just like laboratory-made crowns, the CEREC crown is tried in to make sure it fits properly, with no food gaps or sharp edges, and after any necessary adjustments have been made the crown can be permanently bonded over the ‘stump’ to give the patient a brand new ready-to-use tooth!
CEREC crowns usually cost between £450 and £700 and take around an hour and a half to complete from the start of the preparation to the final fit. Ceramic is a much better material to use for repairing teeth with compared to ‘old-fashioned’ materials such as amalgam for example which weaken and crack the natural tooth over time; studies have also shown that CEREC crowns can last as long as gold ones.
CEREC dentists tend to be those at the cutting edge of cosmetic dentistry and will be very much in touch with modern techniques and procedures meaning that you can get the very best treatment possible. The best way to find out if CEREC treatment is right for you is by speaking to a well-trained CEREC dentist. Try and find one offering a free consultation and ask to take a look at some before and after photos of work they have done using the CEREC system – I’m sure you’ll be amazed!
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Simon Smyth Dentistry
Shield House, Brook St, Bishop’s Waltham, Southampton, Hampshire SO32 1AX
01489 894496